Signature marker for printing presses



Jan. 1, 1929. 1,696,999

F. J. CANNON SIGNATURE MARKER FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed March 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Group A 57mm 3 Jan. 1, 1929. 1,696,999

F. J. CANNON g SIGNATURE MARKER FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed March 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 1, 19.29.

means PATENT orrice.

FRANK J". CANNON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PRODUCTION METER COM PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SIGNATURE MARKER FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

Application filed March 21, 1928. Serial No. 263,332.

My invention relates to improvements in mechanism for applying signature marks to sheet material, for example, sheets of paper, as thesheets pass through a printing machine or other apparatus.

The principal object or the invention is to provide mechanism of the above character which will operate to so mark the sheets that when the sheets are arranged in a stack, the marks on a series of sheets will combine to indicate a group of predetermined number of sheets and will serve as a visual indicator of the point of separation between two adjacent groups so that a number of sheets making up oneor more groups of the stack may be readily removed from the stack without counting the sheets.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide signature marking mechanism adapted to apply marks in the same relative position on the margins of a predetermined number of sheets passing through the ma chine and which is automatically controlled so as to shift to another position after a predetermined number of sheets have been marked. In this connection I contemplate electro-magnctic mechanism for shifting the marking type from one position to another, and contemplate also the use of a cam mechanism for opening and closing the circuit through the electro-rnagnetic shifting mechal'lism above referred to, the size and shape of which cam mechanism may be varied so to control the number of sheets of a group or series of sheets passing through the machine and receiving a mark in the same relative position.

Another object is to provide a marking mechanism of the above character which will be accurate in operation, which is relatively simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to install and maintain in operation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a printing press showing my improved marker mechanism applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a face view of a portion of the printing press and marker mechanism, looking toward the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the controlling mechanism on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. t is a view partly in section of a switch mechanism employed in connection 13 so to slide axially oi the shaft.

With the electro-magnetic means for operating the marking element to shift its marking position.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which the signature marks are applied to paper sheets of two adjacent series or groups.

Fig. 6 represents a stack of the paper sheets of Fig. 5, illustrating the manner in which the signature marks separate the stack into groups of sheets. 7

The invention is illustrated in connection with a printing press of a type having a revoluble cylinder 10, around which the paper sheet 11 is passed. The sheet 11 is shown in Fig. 5 as being sub-divided into a number of smaller sheets 14, the dotted lines ll1a" indicating the line along which the sheet 11 is cut. The marking mechanism, of course, might be employed in connection with printing machines of other type or with handling mechanism of other character. it will be understood, therefore, that I have shown my invention in connection with the printing press shown in the drawingssimply for the purpose of illustration and that I do not wish to be limited to the particular use shown and described except in so far as the prior art may require it to be limited.

In the drawings I have shown a plurality of signature markers or types 12 rotatably fixed on a shaft 18, geared in any approved manner, to rotate at a predetermined speed relative to the speed of rotation of the cylinder 10 of the printing machine. The number of signature types employed in any one machine will depend upon the size of the paper sheets 14.- being marked. The main sheet 11 moves around the roll 10, preferably, in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in Fig, 5. The small sheets are also folded along line 14 after they are cut. When printing a sheet 14 of the above character, that is to say a sheet intended to be folded as herein shown, each of the signature types 12 preferably engages both end margins of each sheet 14. Each signature type 12 is secured to a collar losplined, by means of a key 16, to the shaft The type is shifted longitudinally of the shaftat predetermined intervals so as to change the position of the marks on the margins of the sheets 1a. lVhen the signature types are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the mark 17 will be printed on a series of sheets in one position, for example, the position m dicated' in series A of Fig. 5. When the types are shifted axially of the shaft 13 to the dotted line position of Fig. 2, the signature marks will be printed in a different position on the margin of said sheets, such for example as shown in series B of Fig. 5. Each of the signature types is secured to a common shifting bar 18 by means of a fork member 19 fixed to the shifting bar, the said fork member being provided with rollers 20 which fit into a groove 21 formed in the collar 15. The shifting bar 18 is supported in bearings 2122 of a bracket 23 secured to the side frame of the printing press. A spring 24 is positioned to bear against the bearing 22 and a collar 25 on the shift bar so as to hold the shift bar normally in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, that is to say in a position to mark the signatures on the margins of the sheet 14 in the position indicated in series B of Fig. 5. The said shifting bar and signature types are moved to and held in the full line position, Fig. 2, by a solenoid 26 secured to the arm 27 of thebracket 23. The operative connection between the shifting bar and the solenoid is effected by means of a bell-crank 28, one arm of which is formed with a fork 29, which fits between collars 3031 on the said shift bar. The other arm of the bellcrank is connected to the clevis end of a link 33 of non-magnetic metal secured to the oscillating core 34 of the solenoid. The bellcrank 28 is pivoted in a bracket 35 so that the force exerted upon the energization of the solenoid will rock the bell-crank in a direc tion to shift the rod 18 from the dotted position of Fig. 2 to the full line position of that figure. The spring 24 upon the de-energization of the solenoid forces the shift bar 18 to its normal position.

The solenoid is preferably energized by closing the switch 36 and is maintained in said energized condition for a predetermined period, that is to say, while the signature marks 17 are being applied to the sheet 14 of series A (Fig. 5). In order to effect a quick initial operation of the solenoid, electric current is first passed directly through the winding of the solenoid. However, as soon as the core 34 of the solenoid approaches the end of its stroke, the electric current is passed through a resistance coil 37, by means of which the solenoid winding is prevented from being over-heated. The electric current is switched through the resistance by means of a three-point switch 38 consisting of a movable member 39 carried by the core 34 of the solenoid and contact members 40, 41 and 42. The movable member 39 is provided with a central contact member and with insulated end portions 44. l i hen the core 34 of the solenoid is in its lower position. the movable member 39 is held in its lower position whereby electric current passes directly through the contact members 41 and 42 when the switch 36 is closed. As soon as the solenoid is energized the movement of the core 34 raises the switch member 39 to the position shown in Fig. 4 so as to effect an electrical connection between the contacts and 42. In this position of the switch member 39 the electric current passes through line wire 45 to the terminal 46, thence through wire 47, resistance coil 48 to the contactmember 40, contact member 42, through the coil of the solenoid to binding post 49, thence to the other line wire of the electric circuit.

The switch 36 for controlling the operation of the solenoid is opened automatically at predetermined intervals by means of the following mechanism. A gear 50 fixed to the shaft 13 meshes with a gear 51 on a shaft 52. The shaft 52 is journaled in suitable bearings 53 and is provided with a worm gear which meshes with a large gear 55 supported on a pivotal arm 56. A segmental cam plate 57' is secured to one face of the gear 55 and is adapted to engage one end of a pivoted switch arm 58. The other end of the switch arm 53 is provided with wedge shaped insulating block 59 which is normally held between the spring arms 36 -36 of the circuit making and breaking element 36 by a spring 60. The cam plate 57 is provided with slots 6161 which receive clamp screws 62-62, whereby the plate may be so adjusted that one of the edges 57 will engage the switch arm 58 and rock it to permit the spring arms 36 36 to close and consequently energize the solenoid 26 as soon as the last sheet 14 of the series A (Fig. 5) has been marked. The solenoid consequently remains energized until the arm 58 slips oi one of the edges 57 of the cam plate and is returned by the spring to its circuit breaking position.

in the present embodiment of the invention. the type shaft 13 makes one hundred revolutions for each complete revolution of the gear 55 and the cam surfaces 57 are each equal to one-fourth of the circumference of the gear 55. It will be seen, therefore, that the circuit through the solenoid 26 is maintained opened while a series of twenty-five sheets 14 (for example series A of Fig. 5) are being marked and that the circuit is then broken for a corresponding period while the sheets 14 of series B (Fig. 5) are being marked in a different position. It will also be observed that, with the above ratio of gearing and cam surfaces, and with the sheets arranged in stacks, the signature marks will separate the stacks 6) into groups of twenty-five sheets each, whereby one or more groups may be removed from the stack without counting the number of sheets.

The number of sheets in a group may be varied by varying the length of the cam surfaces 57 or by substituting for gear 55 a gear having a largeror smaller number of teeth.

In order that the .number of sheets in any particular series may be readily varied the arm 56 is preferably formed with a slot in which the gear shaft 63 is adjustably secured. The lower portion of the arm is adjustably clamped to a bracket 64 by means of a clamp nut 64, whereby gearsof various size may be supported on the arm 56 and properly adj usted relative to the center of the worm 54. ."he switch board (55., on which theswitch-arm 58, circuit making and breaking arms 36, 36 and the coil spring 60 are mounted, is attached preferably to the lower end of the pivoted arm 56.

The operation of the apparatus may be suunnarized as follows:

The sheet 11 is passed around the cylinder 10 of the printing press, the latter of which is geared with the shaft 13 of my improved mechanism so as to rotate the marker type 12 at a fixed speed relative to the cylinder 10. During this rotation. the marker type 12 comes in contact with the idle ink roller 66 and upon its continued rotation is brought into engagement with the margin, of the sheet being printed. I

In the present arrangement of the parts of the mechanism in the drawings, the marker type is held in a position to make the marks 17 of series B (Fig. 5). As soon as the switch arm 58 rides oif the edge 5" of the cam 57, the insulating block 59 will be forced between the contacts 36%6 so as to break the circuit through the solenoid 26, wl'iereupon the spring 24: will force the shift bar 18 to r the left of Fig. 2, in which. position the marker type will be held during the marking of twenty-five sheets, for example, the number of sheets making up series A (Fig.

As soon as the twenty-five sheets (Series A of Fig. 5) have been marked, the gear 55 will have been moved to such position as to bring the point 57 of the cam 57 into engagement with the pivoted switch arm 58 and thereby cause the withdrawal of the insulating block 59 from between the spring arm 36"36" and permit the said spring arms to move together to close the circuit through the solenoid 26. The electric current, as before stated, passe, direct through the winding of the solenoid. soon as the core 34 of the solenoid is elevated, the electric current is then passed through the resistance 428, so that the core of the sole noid vill be held in its elevated position without danger of overheating the winding of the solenoid.

W hen applying signature marks to paper sheets intended to be folded, such as, for example, that illustrated in Fig. 5, the signature marker is placed along the line in which the subdivisions 14 are sheared from the main sheet and in this way provide a mark on each end margin of the sheet.

- The several. signature marks at the margin of each sheet, when the sheets are arranged in stacks, present in effect a continuous line delining the limits of the several groups making up the stack.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination of means for moving said material ina predetermined path, means for applyinga mark in the same relative position on the margins of a series of pro-defined areas of said material, and means auton'iatioally operable at intervals to shift the point of application of said, mark, for the purpose specified.

2. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination of means for moving said material in a predetermined path, a marking element operable to apply a mark in the same relative position on the margins of a series of pres-defined areas of said material, and means for shifting said marker element at predetermined intervals to change the position of marking on said material.

3. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination of means for moving said material in a predetermined path, a shaft geared to rotate at a fixed speed ratio relative to the movement of said material, a marking element on said shaft adapted to apply a mark in the same relative posit-ion on the margins of a series of predefined areas of said material, and means operable to shift the relative position of the marker elements and sheet, forthe purpose specified.

4. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the

combination of means for movingsaid ma terial in a predetermined path, a shaft geared to rotate at a fixed speed ratio relative to the movement of said material, a marking element slidable axially of said shaft and rotatable therewith adapted to apply a mark in the same relative position on the margins of a series of predefined areas of said material, and means operable to shift the relative position of the mark elementand sheet,

for the purpose specified.

5. In apparatus for applying signature marks to sheet. material, the combination with means for moving pre-defined areas of such material in a predetermined path, of a rotating member for applying a mark on the margins of said pre-defined areas, and elec tro-magnetic means for shifting said rotating member axially to vary the position of marking said material.

6. In apparatus for applying signature marks on sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre-defined areas of such material in a predetermined path, of a member for applying amark on the margin.

of each of said predefined areas, and electro-magnetic means for shifting said memher to vary the position of marking said material.

7. In apparatus for applying signature marks on sheet material, the combination with means for moving pro-defined areas of such material in a predetermined path, of a marker member operable for applying a mark on the margin of each of said predefined areas, means for maintaining the marker member in a position to mark a series of said areas in the same relative position, and means for shifting said member to another position and holding it in the shifted position While another series of said areas is being marked.

8. In apparatus for applying signature marks on sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre-delined areas of such material in a predetermined path, of a marker member operable for applying a mark on the margin of each of said pre-defined areas, means for maintaining the marker member in a position to mark a series of said areas in the same relative position, electro1nagnet-ic means for shifting said marker member from one position to another, and means for opening and closing an electric circuit at predetermined intervals through said marker shifting means.

9. ln apparatus for applying signature marks on sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre-deflned areas of such material in a predetermined path, of a marker member operable to apply a mark on the margin of each of said predetermined areas, means for maintaining the marker member in a position to mark a series of said areas in the same relative position, an electro-magnet adapted when energized to shift said marker member from one position to another so as to separate the areas marked into two or more series, and means timed to operate at a fixed ratio relative to the operation of said marker member while opening and closing an electric circuit through said marker shifting means.

10. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre-defined areas of such material in a predetermined path and a marker member for applying a mark to each of said areas, means for shifting the marker member with relation to the sheet comprising a shifting bar, means connecting the marker member with said shifting bar, an electro-magnet, mechanism connecting said magnet with said shifting bar, and means for automatically opening and closing an electric circuit through said electro-magnet.

11. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre-defined areas of such material in a predetermined path and a marker member for applying a mark to each of said areas, means for shifting the marker member with relation to the sheet comprising a shifting bar, means connecting the marker member with said shifting bar, an electro-magnet, mechanism connecting said magnet with said shifting bar, means for automatically opening and closing an electric circuit through said electro-magnet, a resistance, and switch mechanism operated by the said magnet for passing the electric current through said resistance when the magnet is energized.

12. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre defined areas of such ma cried in a predetermined path, a revoluble shaft, and markers slidably supported on the shaft and adapted to mark a series of said. areas in the same relative position, of means for changing the position of marking comprising a shift bar, arms fixed to the shift bar and having a loose engagement with the markers, an electromagnet for moving the shift bar longitudina ly to shift the position of said markers, and automatically operated means for energizing and deenergizing said electro-magnet at predetermined intervals.

13. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving pro-defined areas of such material in a predetermined path, a rcvolnble' shaft, and. markers slidably supported on the shaft and adapted to mark a series of said areas in the same relative position, of means for changing the position of marking comprising a shift bar,

arms fixed to the shift bar and having a loose engagement with the markers, an elect-ro-magnet for. moving the shift bar longitudinally to shift the posit-ion of said markers, and auton'iatieally operated means for energizing and tie-energizing said electromagnetat predetermined inteiwals comprising a pivoted switch arm, a cam geared to rotate at a predetermined speed ratio relative to the rotation of said marker shaft and adapted to operate said switch arm at a predetermined time to close the circuit through the electro-magnet and to hold said arm in said position for predetermined period.

14. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre-delined areas of such material in a predetermined path, a revoluble shaft, markers slidably supported on the shaft and adapted to mark a series of said areas in the same relative position, of means for changing the position of marking comprising a shift bar, arms fixed to the shift bar and having a loose engagement with the markers, an electromagnet for moving the shift bar longitudinally to shift the position of said markers, and automatically operated means for energizing and de-energizing said magnet at predetermined intervals, comprising a switch arm, a gear operatively connected to said marker shaft, a cam adjnstably attached to said gear and adapted for marking of a predetermined number of sheets to move said switch arm to a position to permit an electric current to pass through said electro-magnot and to hold said switch arm in said position until a predetermined number of sheets have been marked.

15. in apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving pre defined areas of such material in a predetermined path, a revolnble shaft, and markers slidahly supported. on said shaft and adapted to mark a series of said areas in the same relative position, of means for changing the position of marking comprising a shift bar, means connecting the shift bar with said markers, an electro-magnet for o erating the shift bar in one direction. to change the position of said markers relative. to the sheet material, and automatically operated means for energizing and Clo-energizing said electro-inagnet predetermined intervals comprising a switch arm, a gear operatively connected to said marker shaft, a cam adjustably attached to said gear and adapted, upon the marking of a predetermined number of sheets, to move said switch arm to a position to permit said electric current to pass through said electro-magnetand to hold said switch in said position until a predetermined number of sheets have been marked; said gear and cam eing adjustably supported on a pivoted arm, whereby gears of difi'erent size may be interposed in the train between the marker shaft and said cam to vary the interval during which the electro-magnet is energized or de-energized 16. In apparatus for applying signature marks on the margin of sheet material, the combination with means for moving predetermined areas of such material in a predetermined path, means for marking a series of sheets in the same relative position and another series in a 'difierent position, and means actuated, upon the marking of a predetermined number of sheets, to automatically move the marking means to another marking posit-ion, whereby when the sheets are arranged into a stack, the marks of each series provide a visual indicator of the limits of each series in the stack.

FRANK J. CANNON. 

